810 - 12 Years a Slave from Saratoga; My New Learning Thermostat
January 20, 2014 Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Jan. 20, 2014.
#810 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
56,344 Readers - www.masie.com - twitter: emasie - The MASIE Center.
1. 12 Years a Slave - From Saratoga on Martin Luther King Day.
2. My Learning Thermostat - Google Buys Nest.
3. Learning Directions Events: NYC, Chicago, Houston and Silicon Valley.
1. 12 Years a Slave - From Saratoga on Martin Luther King Day. Yesterday, I went to see “12 Years a Slave,” a powerful and provocative movie about a freeman who lived in my hometown of Saratoga Springs, NY, who is kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery in the Louisiana. I wanted to honor Martin Luther King Day by seeing this movie and reflecting about the broad history of civil rights and slavery. If you can, please go see this movie. Here is a clip: http://youtu.be/pA-vxW3d3Fw
2. My Learning Thermostat - Google Buys Nest: Last week, I ordered the Nest Learning Thermostat. A few days later, Nest was acquired by Google for $3.2 Billion dollars. It was random timing rather than inside knowledge. I spent an hour yesterday replacing the thermostat in my home with a new “Learning” thermostat.
I was fascinated at the usability that went into the design and user experience of Nest. I had ordered it online from Amazon. There was a sealed sticker that told me to do the pre-install checkout, before opening the sticker, in case I had to return it. So, here is what I did, as per instructions:
* Went to the Nest website and called up very visual and performance support graphics.
* I opened up the old thermostat and indicated which color wires it was using.
* It suggested I take a picture of the wires and thermostat and send by email to Nest for guidance.
* In less than 30 minutes, it verified that I could simply make the switch and installation.
* I mounted the new Nest with 2 screws, pushed the 2 wires into marked slots and it went LIVE.
* It asked for my Wi-Fi connection, zip code and a few other items.
* And, it WORKED!
* The thermostat is now learning my heating choices and building a personalized schedule.
* I can monitor temperature and change if from a smartphone or web.
* And, it senses presence in the room for adjustment.
* A great approach for installation and usability.
Some might be worried about how Google will “invade” the home automation market and use our big data. I am more on the curious side and a learner about the learning thermostat. Every month, I will receive an email with detailed use information. And, soon our local energy companies will provide advantaged pricing for folks with this type of thermostat.
It was a cool learning hour for me, from unwrapping the product to having a fully active new thermostat. Information is available at http://www.nest.com
3. Learning Directions Events: NYC, Chicago, Houston and Silicon Valley! We are excited to announce a new series of blended learning events that I will be leading in 2014:
Learning Directions!
NYC (3/21), Chicago (3/25), Silicon Valley (4/16) & Houston (4/29).
Info: http://masie.com/ld2014
Several hundred learning colleagues participated in this series last year. We will focus on Learning Trends, Directions and Challenges. Our topics this year will include:
* Learning Personalization!
* Mobility - Learning Everywhere!
* “Big” Learning Data!
* Social - Learning Together!
* Beyond “e”Learning!
* Rethinking Compliance Training!
* The Connected Classroom & Expertise!
* The Learner as Co-Designer!
We will combine a one-day, interactive briefing with a blend of virtual and asynchronous learning activities. Space in each city is limited and group rates are available. Info and online registration are available at: http://masie.com/ld2014
Yours in learning,
Elliott Masie
Host, Learning 2014
email: emasie@masie.com
twitter: @emasie
MASIE Center Seminars, Events and Services:
* Learning 2014 - October 2014 - Orlando, Florida.
* Membership in The Learning CONSORTIUM
Info and Registration: http://www.masie.com - twitter: emasie